Video: American detainee in North Korea “apologizes” for “war crimes”

posted at 4:31 pm on November 30, 2013 by Ed Morrissey

I use the scare quotes in the headlines for a good reason. Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old Korean War veteran, flew a month ago to North Korea to visit some of the scenes of his service — and was unexpectedly arrested by authorities after he boarded his flight to leave. For three weeks, no one heard from Newman or Pyongyang about his case, but yesterday Newman appeared on North Korean television reading an “apology” for his supposed “war crimes,” which Pyongyang says includes the deliberate murder of civilians and espionage:

In the patchy video, Newman appears composed and is shown reading aloud from a handwritten statement dated Nov 9, 2013 in a wood-paneled meeting room. At the end, he bows and places a finger print on the document.

“I realize that I cannot be forgiven for my offensives (offenses) but I beg for pardon on my knees by apologizing for my offensives (offenses) sincerely toward the DPRK government and the Korean people and I want not punish me (I wish not to be punished),” Newman, who has a heart rhythm disorder, was quoted as saying by KCNA.

The apology for his “indelible crimes” was actually made on November 9th, which raises the question of what has happened to him since. NBC’s Eunice Yoon suggests that the apology might make it easier for the North Koreans to release him, but that still raises the question of why they arrested him in the first place. Other American veterans have gone to North Korea without incident. State-run KCNA claims that Newman worked with the partisans rather than regular forces, which might be one reason, but that was still 60 years ago — even if it is true:

Newman belonged to the 8240th Unit, nicknamed the ‘White Tigers’, said guerrillas who were trained by him.

“We co-operated and helped with each other and fought,” Kim Hyeon who lives south of Seoul said in an interview with Reuters. Hyeon remained in touch with Newman after the war and visited him with his family in 2004.

“In the past we couldn’t even speak up (about our activities,)” said Kim, who served as a staff officer of the Kuwol Regiment of partisans, referring to the clandestine operations it conducted under Newman’s supervision.

So why go back? My father was a soldier in the Korean War and is fortunately hale and healthy at 81. Based on our few conversations about his experiences in the war, I doubt seriously that he’d find a trip back to the Korean peninsula a romantic adventure in any sense of the word. Given the levels of hostility between Pyongyang and Washington, the risk hardly seems worth the nostalgic value of the trip, even if others have made it without incident.

Still, this “apology” may work with propaganda-fed North Koreans, but it’s going to make Americans angry and put pressure on the Obama administration to get Newman out of the DPRK. Maybe it will convince other nostalgic veterans to stay below the 38th Parallel from now on, too.

Blowback

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Still, this “apology” may work with propaganda-fed North Koreans, but it’s going to make Americans angry and put pressure on the Obama administration to get Newman out of the DPRK. Maybe it will convince other nostalgic veterans to stay below the 38th Parallel from now on, too.

Yeah, Obama will give them more money/food now.

Get that man out and bomb the living shit out of that half inch fat bastard. Kill him hard.

1h
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White House National Security Council spokeswoman: ‘Given Mr. Newman’s advanced age and health conditions, we urge the DPRK to release Mr. Newman so he may return home and reunite with his family’ – @NBCNews
end of bulletin

I certainly hope that all is well with Mr. Newman but I really don’t have that much sympathy for these Americans who go touristing in unsafe parts of the world be it hiking into Iran or deciding to fly to North Korea! At best these people muddle diplomacy.

AP VIDEO: Aspiring U.S. rappers say they filmed music video during 5-day visit to North Korea: http://apne.ws/1eBaGLp -KM
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Published on Nov 30, 2013

Two U.S. rappers say they’ve filmed part of a music video in North Korea, hoping the novel locale will make a hit. Pacman and Peso did not say where and how they filmed the footage. They hope to release the video next month. (Nov. 30)

Der Schlieckmeister went around State and used Commerce Dept. to get it done.

Difficultas_Est_Imperium on November 30, 2013 at 4:50 PM

No, Bubba went around the laws governing our relations with North Korea. The distinction matters because Maddie Notsobright is one of those liberals who think that the more nuclear nations the less likely any nation would actually use them.

Still, this “apology” may work with propaganda-fed North Koreans, but it’s going to make Americans angry and put pressure on the Obama administration to get Newman out of the DPRK. Maybe it will convince other nostalgic veterans to stay below the 38th Parallel from now on, too.

…JugEars people probably told the midget’s people…he was on the plane!

Jailed: Kenneth Bae, a 45-year-old tour operator and Christian missionary, was arrested last November while leading a group of tourists in the northeastern region of Rason in North Korea and has been detained for the past year

If anyone is counting on the toad in the White House or traitor john kerry, don’t hold your breath. They are probably working with holder to figure out how they can put him on trial once he does get out of north korea. Too bad that we didn’t deal with them when we had the chance.

I certainly hope that all is well with Mr. Newman but I really don’t have that much sympathy for these Americans who go touristing in unsafe parts of the world be it hiking into Iran or deciding to fly to North Korea! At best these people muddle diplomacy.

Happy Nomad on November 30, 2013 at 4:54 PM

So, no happy nomading. I gave to say I agree with you. Enter at your own risk.
You don’t see dogs crossing the border into NK, China, or the White House of their own free will.

QUESTION: — I know you can’t say that much, but is there any indication about the identity of Mr. Newman, that there might be another Mr. Newman?

MS. PSAKI: I don’t have any speculation on that. I know what we have all seen, comments of his family members. I do have a couple of updates. I still can’t say very much, given the Privacy Act waiver issue, so I don’t have an update on the specific reports of the recent detention of a U.S. citizen.

But for everybody’s knowledge, without a written waiver of a U.S. citizen’s privacy, we cannot comment or confirm details of specific cases involving U.S. citizens. That’s the policy. I can confirm that our Swedish protecting power has been informed by North Korea of the detention of a U.S. citizen. We are working in close coordination with representatives of the Embassy of Sweden to resolve this issue, and they also have requested, actually on a daily basis, consular access.

QUESTION: Thank you.

QUESTION: Is there any concern about this particular citizen’s health issues, given the many reports about his advanced age, for example?

MS. PSAKI: Well, given I can’t confirm the identity of a detained individual, it’s hard for me to speculate on other specific details from the podium.

QUESTION: But would that go to the Swedish Embassy’s request for daily visits, because I don’t – I’m not aware that that’s been the case of others.

MS. PSAKI: It’s not daily visits – they’ve requested on a daily basis. And obviously, they haven’t been granted that access.

QUESTION: Jen, does Ambassador Robert King have any reschedule to visit North Korea?

MS. PSAKI: No, and he is in Washington. I can’t confirm he’s physically at his desk, but I know he’s in the building today.

QUESTION: Did North Korea recently they invite him again? Because they canceled the previous, his trip.

MS. PSAKI: I’m not aware of any other invitation. I don’t have any other updates on his plans.

QUESTION: All right. Thank you.

QUESTION: Has the Swedish Embassy – sorry, excuse me – has the Swedish Embassy been given any reason why they’re not being granted access? I.e., have the North Korean authorities told them why they’re not getting access?

MS. PSAKI: I don’t have that level of detail – not that I’m aware of. I’m happy to check if there’s more specifics we can share on that front.

QUESTION: May I change topics?

MS. PSAKI: Sure. Any – or do you – one more on North Korea?

QUESTION: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just a quick one. Can you tell us when the Swedes were given that information by North Korea?

MS. PSAKI: I don’t have the specific date. I’m happy to check if that’s information we can provide.

QUESTION: And just one more on North Korea. Have they given any reason why he’s being held? Have they told the Swedes anything?

MS. PSAKI: I think that’s just what was asked. I don’t have – by Jo – I don’t have any update on that. I will check if there’s anything we can provide on that front.

QUESTION: Have they been given any details about when this citizen was taken into North Korean custody? Anything about –

MS. PSAKI: I know there have been lots of reports on that. I don’t have any specific details, and I don’t think that’s something we would be able to share publicly anyway.

Sorry but this guy is a dumba$$
Wanting to see the country you fought against during the Korean conflict so you spend some money to book a tour OK
Getting into a animated discussion with the tour guide about the facts of the war in a country that is still at war with the South and the US is just plain crazy, no fool like an old fool I guess. Good excuse for the Administration to give lil Kim whatever he wants for a pocket full of promises

I certainly hope that all is well with Mr. Newman but I really don’t have that much sympathy for these Americans who go touristing in unsafe parts of the world be it hiking into Iran or deciding to fly to North Korea! At best these people muddle diplomacy.
Happy Nomad on November 30, 2013 at 4:54 PM

Sorry but this guy is a dumba$$
Wanting to see the country you fought against during the Korean conflict so you spend some money to book a tour OK
Getting into a animated discussion with the tour guide about the facts of the war in a country that is still at war with the South and the US is just plain crazy, no fool like an old fool I guess. Good excuse for the Administration to give lil Kim whatever he wants for a pocket full of promises

notalemon on November 30, 2013 at 5:28 PM

He needed to remember that not all countries in the world allow you to speak freely, have your own opinion.
The US is truly exceptional, though stupid liberals take it to the next level by crapping on police cars.

“On November 30, the DPRK permitted the Embassy of Sweden, protecting power for issues involving U.S. citizens in North Korea, consular access to U.S. citizen Merrill Newman,” a State Department official said in a statement.

“Given Mr. Newman’s advanced age and health conditions, we urge the DPRK to release Mr. Newman so he may return home and reunite with his family,” the official added, using the acronym for the North’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The White House also urged Newman’s release in a brief statement.

Earlier on Saturday, North Korea showcased Newman as a criminal, showing a video of him making a full confession and apology as if the battles of the Korean War were still raging.

The state KCNA news agency said Newman was a mastermind of clandestine operations and had confessed to being “guilty of a long list of indelible crimes against DPRK government and Korean people.”
(More….)
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So, no happy nomading. I have to say I agree with you. Enter at your own risk.

RovesChins on November 30, 2013 at 5:15 PM

I see what you did there, LOL!

I agree. The first thing I thought was, “what a moron.”

bluegill on November 30, 2013 at 5:34 PM

Indeed.

It’s called situational awareness. If you’re white, you don’t walk down a street in South Chicago at two in the morning. If you’re going hiking- take a map and don’t do it adjacent to war zones. If you want to spread the good news of Christ, don’t go to a despotic country that shoots people for even owning the Bible and expect you that you can openly evangelize. And there is absolutely no reason why any American should be in certain places in the world- North Korea being at the top of the list.

When in NK – if a person is nuts enough to think it’s a great vacation spot – it’s a good idea to not get into political arguments with the minder-guides, police or any state employee. Not only are you likely to get into hot water, but if they don’t respond in the right way they and their families could get sent off to a camp.

And no doubt it will also work with propaganda-fed North Americans. It will be interesting to see how many Leftist websites come out with pieces praising this poor fool for apologizing for something that took place 60+ years ago.

When in NK – if a person is nuts enough to think it’s a great vacation spot – it’s a good idea to not get into political arguments with the minder-guides, police or any state employee. Not only are you likely to get into hot water, but if they don’t respond in the right way they and their families could get sent off to a camp.

whatcat on November 30, 2013 at 6:29 PM

All I can say is that when my parents traveled to China, the government knew where they were the whole time (the guide admitted to having phone in every morning). I’m guessing North Korea is equally strident in keeping tabs on foreigners. Frankly, any Korean War vet would be nuts to admit that they had visited the country before.

As much as I realize that Mr. Newman’s detainment and “confession” are nothing but propaganda moves by the paranoid North Korean regime. I still have to question the wisdom of anyone who goes to lawless countries like DPRK or Iran, where without warning you can be taken hostage by the regime just because it suites their propaganda purposes.

You really need to know what you are getting in to BEFORE you embark to a foreign country, especially one that is hostile to the USA. I put most of the Muslim world in that category with a few notable exceptions that actually have a rule of law, rather than rule of personality or rule of mob. I’d add countries like Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Cuba to that list. These are all run by communists or communist wannabes who will do whatever it takes to remain in power. If taking American’s prisoner, hostage, detainee, or whatever they want to call it, advances their cause and protects their regime, then so be it.

All I can say is that when my parents traveled to China, the government knew where they were the whole time (the guide admitted to having phone in every morning). I’m guessing North Korea is equally strident in keeping tabs on foreigners. Frankly, any Korean War vet would be nuts to admit that they had visited the country before.

Happy Nomad on November 30, 2013 at 6:35 PM

Yup, westerners are the most closely watched – Americans especially so. Check out a few minutes from this documentary on Youtube.

But I suggest this compromise. We move forthwith across the 38th, and remove the North Korean dictatorship from the face of the earth. There is in fact a lawful government already functioning south of the 38th.

I respect his service, but anyone who visits that shithole of a Communist country and gives that dictator more money deserves what they get. Don’t waste our tax dollars on a saving this guy. Negative choices render negative consequences. Have fun in your labor camp!

Some people don’t want to be free. My generation’s example of this Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iraq wanted us out, now want us back, and I dearly hope we don’t, because they want us to do the work necessary to make THEM free. But they will never understand freedom, until they earn it on their own. Afghanistan is sabotaging what is for them a great deal, I wish we would have never offered. Arm the women of Afghanistan, teach them how to defend themselves, and then let’s see how popular Sharia Law is.

Freedom means willing to die to be free. Some people would rather live as slaves. You can’t help them. They must help themselves.

Nothing will change in NK, until it happens within. When they decide they have had enough, then we can toss them some help. Without that, we are fighting the entire country.

Agreed. We have plenty of Mk48 ADCAP torpedoes that will make the USS Pueblo two pieces and sink her in minutes. To add a certain cultural touch to the project, I recommend that we let a close relative of Capt. Bucher launch the fish.

Agreed. We have plenty of Mk48 ADCAP torpedoes that will make the USS Pueblo two pieces and sink her in minutes. To add a certain cultural touch to the project, I recommend that we let a close relative of Capt. Bucher launch the fish.